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Should I take my 18mo old to the hospital after a 102.8 fever this morning?

My son woke up with 102.9 fever at 6:30am. It is not 11:30am. Alternated Tylenol and ib profen. Last rectal reading was 102.1. Doctors is all booked for the day. He is drinking fluids, no other symptoms that I've noticed besides teeth coming in which I think triggered the fever. He is 18 months old. I did notice what I thought was a heat rash on the back of his neck yesterday. Do I see emergency room in my future? Advice please...

You should call his pediatrician. Emergency rooms are for actual emergencies. Call your Ped and discuss your child's symptoms with the Dr. or nurse and they can tell you if you should stay home and treat the fever, if they want to see you in their office, or if they feel its an emergency and you should go to the hospital. Fevers alone are not always worthy of an ER visit.

Doctor's office is booked? WTH? I'd bring him into a quick care place like butterfly recommended. Then I'd be looking for a NEW Pediatrician. I would not bring him to the ER, But have him seen by a Dr. today. My kids never ran a fever that high from teething.

If there was any way to keep his fever down with meds, liquids, coolish baths, and cool treats like popsicles, etc then I wouldn't take him to the ER. I worked in one for years, and it seems like the little ones pick up bugs in the ER and just get sicker. If he's not dehydrated he will be ok until you can get to your doctor, or an Urgent Care clinic. I know those places have germs too, but the ER just seems especially "viral", and the little guys pick it up. At least, that was my experience working there. GL momma!! Those unexplained fevers can be scary.